Established in 1996, IDNet is not simply a hosting company
offering a few extra services. Nor are we a marketing agency that has bolted on
technical services. IDNet is focussed on delivering businesses the full online
solution, tailored to their unique objectives.

What makes IDNet unique
is that we not only design, manage and market our clients' web sites but we can
then host them on our own network infrastructure. Through not outsourcing any
of these vital ingredients we can ensure optimum quality, performance and
availability, whilst giving our clients the reassurance that they have just one
party to liase with on these issues. Our blend of expertise, commitment and
experience - achieved by careful recruitment and controlled growth - is
reflected in a team with practical, specialist, relevant skills. The IDNet team
go the extra mile to proactively understand and attain client objectives.

Super fast broadband connections

IDNet provide broadband
services for home and office users, enabling super-fast always-on Internet
access for a flat monthly fee using your existing telephone line. Capable of
receiving data up to forty times faster than a standard analogue modem, our
wireless broadband ADSL is a much more suitable service for transporting
multimedia data, video, audio and other large files. All while allowing the
simultaneous use of both the telephone and Internet. This is particularly
useful for small offices and for staff that frequently work from home.

Not only can IDNet provide fast, affordable Internet access, we are
leading wireless specialists. All our business packages give you the option to
access the Internet and connect multiple computers on your network without the
need for expensive and unsightly cabling.

Business
Broadband

Businesses are demanding faster and more reliable Internet
services. Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) is a technology designed to
deliver high speed data over existing telephone lines. Often referred to as
"broadband", ADSL delivers data much faster than older technologies such as
analogue modems. A compelling combination of attractive features and low cost,
find out how it can satisfy the needs of your business.

THE MAIN
ADVANTAGES OF ADSL

ADSL is an inexpensive way to obtain a high-speed
connection to the Internet. It is capable of receiving data up to thirty times
faster than a standard analogue modem which means it is a more suitable for
transporting multimedia data, video, audio and other large
files.

Despite higher speeds, costs are kept low because the technology
utilises existing copper telephone lines to carry data. Computers connected to
the Internet using ADSL are permanently connected at all times, and there are
no associated calls or call charges. This means Internet services can be
accessed without delay, and at a fixed monthly cost.

Another advantage
of ADSL is that despite sharing the same physical cabling, simultaneous use can
be made of both the telephone and Internet. This is particularly useful for
small offices and for staff that frequently work from home. ADSL can also be
combined with simple wireless technology, which allows multiple users to
connect to the Internet without the need for cables.

CONTENTION ON
THE NETWORK

ADSL lines are subject to contention, meaning that the
network bandwidth available is shared between a number of subscribers. The
ratio to which the available bandwidth is shared between users is called the
"contention ratio". Services targeted at casual home users are frequently
cheaper, but have a higher contention ratio. This means that the available
network capacity is shared between a greater number of users. Business services
have a lower contention ratio, which will provide a more consistent level of
performance.

SHARING A SINGLE CONNECTION BETWEEN
COMPUTERS

Business broadband services are designed to allow multiple
computers to share a single connection. A device called a router is provided by
the service provider to manage your Internet connection. Computers connect to
the Internet through the router using standard "Ethernet" network cards and
cables. The router usually has a small number of sockets available for client
computers, and more can be added with the addition of a low-cost hub or switch.
In addition, fixed addresses are allocated so that you can consistently access
your network remotely, if required.

ADDITIONAL SERVICES, WIRELESS AND
SECURITY

If you have any additional requirements or technical
questions, call and discuss them. Options are available that allow your router
to share the ADSL line with client computers equipped with wireless cards, such
as laptops. With a permanent Internet presence, you may also wish to protect
your computers and data from potential intruders. A dedicated "firewall" device
can filter and monitor traffic passing between your network and the outside
world, keeping intruders out and recording suspicious network activity.

Deploying wireless network technology in an office
environment

High speed "broadband" internet access is now widely
available at affordable prices. Modern wireless networking technology allows
computers to share files, printers and internet access without the need for
unsightly and expensive cabling. Deploying these two increasingly widespread
technologies together with wireless broadband can provide a number of useful
benefits for small businesses and telecommuters.

For business users, there are a number of problems
associated with the use of analogue modems for Internet access. Business users
typically need access to the Internet for extended periods of time, at the
times of the day when phone calls are charged at peak rates. Exchanging large
files often takes too long and is rendered impractical by the low speed and
limited bandwidth of analogue modems. Unmetered accounts provide unlimited
access to the internet for a fixed rate each month, but they frequently have
usage restrictions. If the premises doesn't have a second phone line, access to
the Internet often prevents normal telephone calls from being made or
received.

The benefits of broadband

Broadband internet
services typically offer "always-on" high-speed access for a fixed monthly fee.
They are usually provided over a standard phone line, but the signals are
separated so that the telephone can be used independently. Because broadband
connections offer greater bandwidth, a number of computers can realistically
share a single connection to an office site. Internet service providers often
provide a device called a router to enable the sharing of an Internet
connection over a local area network. Computers connect to each other over the
network, communicating through the router when they need to access the
Internet. Each device is connected together using standard "Ethernet" network
cables and an inexpensive hub or more powerful switch.

How can
wireless technology help?

If you are investigating a broadband
Internet connection for your business and would like to share the connection
between multiple computers, then you may want to consider asking your service
provider if they can provide a router with an integrated wireless gateway. This
can connect computers wirelessly to both the Internet and each other, and often
minimise the need to lay additional cables.

Is wireless technology
expensive?

Wireless networking products have been available for a
few years, and prices have dropped significantly since their introduction.
Commodity pricing places them easily within the reach of most consumers and the
required equipment is generally easy to install and maintain. If you purchase a
bundled service from your Internet service provider, much of the configuration
work will be done for you.

So what exactly is wireless LAN
technology?

The 802.11b wireless standard, often referred to simply
as "wireless ethernet", is designed to provide computers with wireless
communication in a way that is both compatible and easy to integrate with
traditional wired networks. Because the same types of data can be sent over
wireless networks as wired networks, they can be used for the same tasks. File
sharing, printing and Internet access can all be performed over a wireless
network. You probably don't need any existing wired infrastructure in your
office to implement a wireless network, and if you already have a wired network
then in most cases a wireless network can be integrated seamlessly. A device
called a "base station" or "wireless access point" connects client computers to
the wired network. Every client computer communicates with the access point to
send and receive data over the wireless network. Devices are now available that
can act as both a broadband router and wireless access point. Integrating the
functionality of both these devices into one box can save cabling, power plugs
and office space. Each computer to be connected to the network requires a
device to enable wireless communication. In some of the very latest computers,
particularly laptops, the wireless hardware and antenna may already be
integrated into the design. For older equipment and most desktop machines, an
adapter needs to be purchased. The adapter card used is typically either PCI or
USB for desktop machines, or PCMCIA for older laptops. As with most new
hardware devices, a software driver needs to be loaded for the operating system
to recognise and enable the card. While traditional "wired" networks are often
faster, modern wireless equipment provides adequate bandwidth for most office
environments. The connection speed available to the Internet is usually the
weakest link in most business and corporate networks.

How secure are
wireless networks?

Wireless networks have a limited range, usually
somewhere around two hundred feet. They can usually be configured to transmit
data encrypted, which makes it harder for potential eavesdroppers to listen to
network activity. The ability to use the network can also be restricted to a
list of known computers. There are some known weaknesses in the basic security
model of wireless networks. If you want to implement a wireless network but are
particularly concerned about the security of data on your network, then you
should discuss the options available to you with your Internet service
provider. Additional security layers can usually be added to increase privacy
and keep sensitive data hidden from potential intruders.

What
equipment should I choose, and will it be compatible with other
vendors?

There are now a large number of companies offering wireless
products and most of them test their equipment against each other for standards
compliance and compatibility. The wireless fidelity "Wi-Fi" group is an
industry consortium responsible for certifying that wireless equipment meets
and conforms to the required standards. Equipment with "Wi-Fi" certification
should provide trouble-free operation. Some equipment can provide additional
features, such as the ability to deploy multiple base stations to cover a wide
area of office space.

Conclusion and Summary

A growing
number of computer manufacturers are building wireless network technologies
into their products as standard. In the near future it is likely that every
portable, laptop or handheld device will have some form of wireless
connectivity built in by design. For business users, there has never been a
better time to look at how wireless network technology can be successfully
partnered with broadband internet services.